Incidental findings of Synchronous Bladder and Prostate tumor

Prostate cancer accounts for 70% after a cystoprostatectomy for a bladder tumor. Chun TY, have stated common embryological origin of these organs, along-with molecular similarities. Accordingly the incidence of prostate cancer in patients with a bladder tumor is 18 times higher whereas incidence of bladder cancer in patients with prostate cancer is 19 times higher[1]. We report a case of 76years male patient who presented with complaints of urinary retention and hematuria. Tissue biopsy for bladder and prostate was done and reported as primary malignancies of bladder and prostate.

Foreign body induced penile gangrene in mentally challenged patient - A case report

Penile gangrene is extremely rare. It spreads very rapidly to surrounding structures and have high mortality rate. Its etiology can be infectious, traumatic or vasculogenic. Precipitating factors can be elicited with careful history and examination. Its management depends upon clinical presentation, which includes serial debridement, partial or total penectomy and treatment of underlying pathology[1]. In the present case 75 year old mentally retarded male presented with an ulceration over urethra. Relatives gave history of foreign body insertion. On examination blackish discoloration of distal half of penis was seen. Penectomy was performed as an emergency operation. On histopathology it was reported as penile gangrene.

Nanoparticles influence seed germination traits and seed pathogen infection rate in forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolour) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

Nanoparticles (NPs) influence germination and growth of plants and also reported to have antimicrobial effect on seed. In the present study, effect of four metal/metal oxide NPs viz. Zinc oxide (ZnO), Titanium oxide (TiO2), Copper oxide (CuO) and Silver (Ag) on seed germination traits and seed pathogenicity of forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolour (L.)] and cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.)] was assessed. NPs were synthesized before seed treatment and characterized for size and chemical property by particle size analyzer (PSA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) following standard procedure. All NPs were pure and confirmed as under nano-size (>90% of particles below 100 nm). Seed surfaces were observed under SEM for natural openings that apparently acted as entry points for NPs. Seeds were treated with NPs at 0 mg (D0), 750 mg (D1), 1000 mg (D2) and 1250 mg/kg of seed (D3). Except TiO2, all other NPs enhanced germination at lower dose (D1), but germination was reduced at higher dose (D3) (p=0.05) as compared to control (D0). Seed vigour traits (germination, shoot length, root length and seedling dryweight in this experiment) were also influenced by NPs. Ag NP was proved to be strong antimicrobial agent in this study.

India-Based Knee Osteoarthritis Evaluation (iKare): A Multi-Centre Cross-Sectional Study on the Management of Knee Pain and Early Osteoarthritis in India

BACKGROUND: Access to early knee osteoarthritis treatment in low and middle income nations is often believed to be limited. We conducted a cross-sectional study in India to assess prior access to treatment among patients presenting with knee pain to specialist orthopaedic clinics. METHODS: The multi-centre, cross-sectional study included patients presenting with knee pain at 3 hospitals in India. Patients who met the inclusion criteria and provided informed consent completed a questionnaire designed to assess patient demographics, socioeconomic status, knee pain, treatment method, and patient's knowledge on osteoarthritis (OA). Their orthopaedic surgeons also completed a questionnaire on the severity of patient's OA and their recommended treatments. The impact of demographic characteristics on the prescription of treatment options was analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 714 patients met the eligibility criteria and participated in this study. The majority of patients had been experiencing pain for less than 1 year (64.8%) and had previously been prescribed medications (91.6%), supplements (68.6%), and nonpharmacological (81.9%) treatments to manage their knee OA. Current treatment recommendations included oral medications (83.3%), intra-articular injections (29.8%), and surgical intervention (12.7%). Prescription of oral medications was related to younger age, lack of deformities, and lower Kellgren-Lawrence grades (p < 0.01). Patients treated in private hospital settings were more likely to have been previously treated with medications (range, 84.3% to 92.6%; p < 0.01) and physical treatments (range, 61.8% to 84.8%; p < 0.01) than patients treated at government hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to the perception, our findings suggest a similar proportion of early knee OA treatment between India and North America.

Nasal Mucoadhesive In-Situ Gel of Granisetron Hydrochloride using Natural Polymers.

The prolonged residence of drug formulation in the nasal cavity is of utmost importance for intranasal delivery of drug. Present investigation was aimed to develop a mucoadhesive in situ gel of Granisetron hydrochloride (GH) with reduced nasal mucocilliary clearance in order to improve the bioavailability of the antiemetic drug, granisetron hydrochloride. The in situ gelation upon contact with nasal mucosa was conferred via the use of the thermogelling Pluronic flake 127 (PF 127). Moringa gum (MG), carboxymethyl tamarind gum (CMTG) and sodium alginate (SA) was used to modulate mucoadhesion whereas drug release of optimized formulation was modified by 0.3% polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000). Results revealed that as the concentration of mucoadhesive polymer increased the mucoadhesive strength increased and gelation temperature decreased significantly. Preformulation studies showed that addition of GH in 18% PF 127 gels modulated gelation temperature significantly while mucoadhesive polymers alters mucoadhesion. Formulation F6, F11 and F15 showed more than 80% of drug diffusion at 240 min. Gelation temperature and mucoadhesive strength of all three formulations were found in the range of 30-31 C and 963.66±9.60 to 991.33±10.26 dyne/cm2 respectively. Formulation F11 showed optimum results and further histopathological evaluation reveled formulation is safe for use. Addition of PEG 6000 increased drug diffusion in formulation F11 with flux 0.034 mg.cm2/min. This study concluded the potential use of CMTG as mucoadhesive in situ nasal gel in terms of ease of administration, accuracy of dosing, prolonged nasal residence and improved nasal bioavailability.

Hepatitis B and/or C co-infection in HIV infected patients: A study in a tertiary care centre from south India.

Background & objectives: Co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals results in increased hepatic complications. We undertook this study to evaluate the presence of HBV and HCV in HIV infected individuals attending a tertiary care centre in southern India. Methods: A total of 120 cases with HIV infection and 120 healthy adult control subjects were included in the study. Samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. HBsAg and anti-HCV positive serum samples were further tested for the presence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), anti-HBe antibodies, HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA. Results: The most common mode of transmission was sexual promiscuity (79%), followed by spouse positivity (15%) and history of blood transfusion (6%). HBsAg and anti-HCV were positive in 18 (15%) and 10 (8.3%) HIV infected patients; the corresponding figures in healthy controls being 2 (1.6%) 0 (0%) (P<0.0001). Among HIV infected patients, presence of HBeAg and anti-HBe antibodies was seen in 33.3 and 55.5 per cent, respectively; both HBeAg and anti-HBe antibodies were negative in 11.1 per cent. HBV DNA and HCV RNA were positive in 10 of 18 and in all anti-HCV positive samples. Triple infection with HBV, HCV and HIV was seen in three patients. CD4+ T-lymphocyte count less than 200/μl was seen in 22 of 28 co-infected cases. Interpretation & conclusions: The findings of our study showed presence of HBV (15%) and HCV (8.3%) co-infections in HIV positive patients which was higher than that seen in HIV negative controls. Co-infection with HBV and HCV is a common problem in HIV infected patients in India. Hence, all HIV patients need to be routinely tested for markers of HBV and HCV infection.

Remote sensing and GIS based forest cover change detection study in Kalrayan hills, Tamil Nadu.

The present study focuses on the role of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) in assessment of changes in forest cover, between 1931 and 2001, in the Kalrayan hills, Tamil Nadu. The trend of forest cover changes over the time span of 70 years, was precisely analysed using high resolution Satellite data. The study revealed that the forest cover was 275.6, 481.7 and 266.5 sq.km in 1931, 1971 and 2001 respectively. It was noticed that forest cover has increased between 1931 and 1971, because of the implementation of various afforestation schemes by the forest department and scared grooves. It also revealed that the forest cover loss between 1971 and 2001 could be due to Shifting cultivation and illegal encroachments by villagers; and the forest cover drastically decreased on plateau areas due to human population pressure. The study analyses the forest cover change in the tropical deciduous forest region of the Eastern Ghats of India. It is envisaged that the study would prove the usefulness of Remote Sensing and GIS in forest restoration planning.

Spontaneous regression of patent omphalo-mesenteric duct.

We report a one-month-old male child with a patent omphalo-mesenteric duct that regressed spontaneously in the neonatal period and resulted in a Meckel's diverticulum.

Awareness, attitudes, and beliefs of the general public towards HIV/AIDS in Hyderabad, a capital city from South India.

CONTEXT: Information is the first step in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention. Ignorance about the disease and how the virus is transmitted can generate fear and prejudice towards those who are infected. AIM: To assess the awareness, attitudes, and beliefs of the general public toward HIV/AIDS in Hyderabad, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. SETTING AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study conducted for a period of 2 months in 2004 on 800 individuals living in Hyderabad. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was conducted with a questionnaire titled 'General Population Behavioral Surveillance Survey.' The survey used a 5-part, 65-item questionnaire eliciting information about the knowledge of HIV (10 items), modes of transmission (20 items), ways of prevention (10 items), society's attitude toward HIV (15 items), and finally evaluation of Government's measures (10 items). RESULTS: Approximately 80.63% (645/800) of the study population were sketchily aware of HIV/AIDS, but had incorrect perceptions about the mode of transmission or prevention. Despite the vigorous outreach programmes, which the government and other organizations had carried out in the city, many people had several misconceptions about HIV or about people living with HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSION: As it was observed that awareness was more among the literates, the Government and Health educators should provide tailor-made education programmes for those at the lower education levels.